How to Care for Marble Countertops
Holy marble!
Beware, if you plan to enter my house at any point in the next couple of months, there are going to be strict rules around my gorgeous countertops. Some of them sane, and some of them insane, but I can’t help myself! They’re just too pretty and I’m just too anal about anything ever happening to them haha.
In all seriousness though, I’m sure they’ll be fine. Just to be on the safe side though, I did some research and put together a list of all of the do’s (and don’ts) with marble in one place.
Do marble countertops need special care?
The short answer is yes, but nothing extreme. In a previous blog post titled Your Complete Guide to Stone Countertops I broke down the high level differences between different stone types (granite, quartzite, marble, etc.). There I mentioned the fact that marble happens to be a porous stone that needs to be sealed from time to time. After talking to some of the marble experts, I learned that generally you only need to reseal it once per year. However, countertop areas around sinks or high traffic spaces can use a little extra care from time to time and might benefit from being resealed every 9 months or so.
How to clean marble countertop stains and etching?
If for any reason etching occurs, there are articles on “at home” remedies. My personal opinion though would be to have the marble repolished/refinished by a professional. Quite often, when you’re using cleaning chemicals on any surface, there can be adverse effects. Think discoloration, rings around the area that was cleaned, etc. There might be easy at home remedies that could be an easy solve, but I would rather trust an experienced expert with resolving any damage, personally.
What should you avoid with marble countertops?
Because marble is so porous, you should try to avoid getting vinegar or acidic foods on the marble. If for some reason a bit of food in those categories does get on your countertop, be sure to wipe it up right away. Although these foods don’t always leave a colored stain, they can cause etching to occur. Now I’m not going to get into the science behind it, but ultimately etching takes place when an acidic substance mixes with the calcium carbonate chemical makeup of the stone. The outcome is dull spots on your marble. It could be worse, but also preventative with a little extra caution.
avoid placing these products directly on marble
There are a handful of foods and products that you should steer clear of handling directly on your marble. This is not an all encompassing list, but will help get you started.
FOOD
Coffee
Wine
Fruit juices
Lemon
Lime
Soda
Tomato juice or sauce
PRODUCTS
Perfume
Hair products
Toothpaste
Nail polish and remover
Colored sticky notes
SHOP THE best products to care for your marble:
Seal, protect, Clean & spot treat
I suggest sealing your countertops regularly. It is always a good idea to check in with what your manufacture recommends. When water fails to bead up when it splashes on the surface is a good signal it is time to reseal. Sealing will help prevent stains and damage because we need those countertops to keep their natural beauty. Coasters, cutting boards, and wiping of anything that shouldn’t be there is always encouraged to keep your marble countertops protected. Shop my most recommended products from the list above to spot treat any stains. Most importantly, don’t forget to enjoy your gorgeous countertops!
Marble countertops are not cheap and are often a big purchase for homeowners so caring for them is very important. With simple care and awareness, you can protect your beautiful marble against etching and staining. Now that my countertops are (finally) in, I love them more than I thought possible and will make sure they stay beautiful!
All the best!
Jen
Investor // Landlord and DIYer // Realtor // Business Consultant // Globe Trotter // Converting Vegan.
